Members of the NRA and other gun enthusiasts gathered at the Philadelphia National Guard Armory on Saturday for the Philadelphia Gun Show. The two-day event, hosted by Appalachian Promotions of Pennsylvania, is one of the largest gun shows in the Delaware Valley. During the event, buyers jammed overcrowded aisles, shopping for guns and ammunition.
NBC10 spoke with some of the attendees, who told us they want to purchase a firearm because they fear it will only be a matter of time before there will be limitations on their second amendment right.
“I believe there may be in some future time period some suppression,” said Stan Baxter of Fairless Hills. “But it won’t ever go away. It’s too ingrained in our country’s history.”
“I want it now for protection” said Anna Mata of Northeast Philadelphia. “I feel more and more that it’s being taken away from us.”
Many gun owners also told NBC10 they fear that if President Obama’s proposal to ban semi-automatic assault weapons and limit high capacity magazines is enacted, events like the Philadelphia Gun Show will be no more.
“I understand where the government is coming from,” said Brian Doherty of Northeast Philadelphia. “But they’re going after the wrong people. Military veterans like myself or people with licenses are doing things by the book but are being punished more.”
Show organizer and gun dealer Dave Zeller says buyers should expect a wait because the push to buy guns now is doubling the time it usually takes for background checks.
“Politicians want to take away something citizens have a right to buy,” said Zeller. “That’s why you see the amount of people here today. We have record attendance.”
Some shoppers also told NBC10 assault rifles have doubled in price.
The Philadelphia Gun Show continues on Sunday, running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
